Kansas Thespian Festival 2014

Being an ITO has been the best part of my 2013-2014 school year. My favorite part is the ability to travel to new places, make life long friends, and then have to leave in the blink of an eye. I made everlasting memories at the Kansas Thespian Festival, and I would like to share some of those lovely events with you.

First off, I would like to congratulate Kansas for having the overall nicest board of State Thespian Officers that I have ever met. Their kindness was incredibly appreciated from someone who had not even visited the state before. I was really impressed with their ability to lead effectively, solve problems, and come up with the most creative solutions on the spot. They are standard for a group of STOs, and the experience I gained with all them was completely unforgettable. I was treated as if I was a Kansas STO and not someone they barely knew.

I was also overwhelmed by the sheer talent and excitement from all of the students. The main stage performances were some of the very best I had ever seen. The production of Hamlet left me in tears. On top of those performances, every student was so excited about all of their workshops. There was quite a variety to choose from, and I saw at least one student in every single room.

I also had the honor to judge honor troupe presentations all day. I really enjoyed all of the work that went into each binder, speech, and the passion that each student held about their troupe. I found myself wanting to give every single person the gold standard even if they did not have the requirements to do so.

Overall, my experience was filled with vibrant students, generous adults, and a lot of passion. I was treated so well that it was hard for me to leave. The Kansas Thespian Festival is massive in size, but each troupe was a family. I really enjoyed my time there, and I would love to go back again.